Just purchased my first Contax

[markjwyatt]

The uneven exposure looks like shutter trouble, that was shot a a fast shutter speed, right? Maybe a trip back to the repair person is in order if it was supposed to be all good. I don't generally use the 1000th speed on old cameras because it just spells trouble, but if it was supposed to be fixed...

The difference in graininess could well be down to the format difference. If you really want to know, scan a section of the 120 shot so you have the same reproduction ratio as 135. That doesn't mean there isn't more to be had in 135, it's just that your scanning method is not getting it out right now. I agree that a 100 ISO film should look a little better, but it's not so easy to get great scans. But judging from what other people post here, using a digital camera is the way to go. I'd try turning off all sharpening, input or not. Try different demosaicing algorithms perhaps. The method for downsizing for posting online could also have an effect.

When I got my Contax iia back from CLA, I ran a roll through and had a couple of shutter issues out of 36 shots. I took it back (fortunately he is within driving distance), and he made a quick tweak to the shutter. I have put several rolls through since with no issue. Ross said that after a CLA it could take some time for the lubrication to work through all mechanisms.

The tweak is pretty minor and easy. I would suggest getting on the phone with him.

 

[markjwyatt]

Here are my Contax shots on Flickr:

https://www.flickr.com/search/?user_id=157638541@N07&view_all=1&text=contax
The Ektar shots were the roll where I had a couple of shutter issues (maybe one visible on the cactus shot- look at the Sonnar bokeh on the birdhouse shot).


As to the Sonnar (mine is a Oberkochen), here are the Sonnar shots (rest are Voigtlander or uncertain): https://www.flickr.com/search/?user_id=157638541@N07&view_all=1&text=contax sonnar

A few more bokeh shots (with the Sonnar):

1, 2, 3, 4

 

[markjwyatt]

You have some nice looking pictures. I would not give up on the Contax. I am very happy with mine. So far I have been getting my film developed and professionally scanned at the Darkroom. I like the way the FP4+ turns out- I have been getting the "enhanced scans", which are over 30 Mpixels. I tried one negative on my Fujifilm XT-2 (24 Mpixels)and Durst slide copier while I was copying some slides, and it looks like I have potential to get good scans when I start developing on my own at home. I am hoping that HC110 (which I already purchased) gives me as good of results as The Darkroom does with DDX.

 

[Steve Ruddy]

You have some nice looking pictures. I would not give up on the Contax. I am very happy with mine. So far I have been getting my film developed and professionally scanned at the Darkroom. I like the way the FP4+ turns out- I have been getting the "enhanced scans", which are over 30 Mpixels. I tried one negative on my Fujifilm XT-2 (24 Mpixels)and Durst slide copier while I was copying some slides, and it looks like I have potential to get good scans when I start developing on my own at home. I am hoping that HC110 (which I already purchased) gives me as good of results as The Darkroom does with DDX.

I’ll definitely use it as it’s its fun and people notice and comment on it. Plus I want to shoot 35mm transparency film and this is my only 35mm camera that has been serviced, although I think my Nikon Nikkormat works pretty good. I’ll send Ross the bad frames and see what he has to say. My last frame turned out all black but the edges of the frame are bleeding into the sprocket area so I don’t know what that means. Thanks for sending me a link to your images, nice work! I’m noticing some pretty gritty shots on FP4 film way worse than what I’m complaining about. Unless you like that I would encourage you to do your own developing and dslr scanning. It’s interesting we have a bit of the same background. My father was a photographer too. He started with the Navy during WWII and taught photography at CMU. I learned from him and used the darkroom at the university. I just started shooting film again a few years ago. I can believe how much I forgot!

 

[markjwyatt]

...It’s interesting we have a bit of the same background. My father was a photographer too. He started with the Navy during WWII and taught photography at CMU. I learned from him and used the darkroom at the university. I just started shooting film again a few years ago. I can believe how much I forgot!

I recall responding to you somewhere about my background, I cannot find the thread. My dad attended a famous (at the time) vocational photography program at Fremont High School: https://www.thephotoforum.com/threads/amazing-educator-clarence-a-bach.426588/

He then went into the airforce and worked with aerial cameras in South Dakota. He became a high school teacher and ran a photography program (as well as yearbook and newspaper). I also had access to his darkroom at times, worked in a rental darkroom, and through college worked at 60 minute photo places, as well as did some professional photography. I kind of stopped using film in the early-mid 2000s, and started up again last year with digital and film. I love my digital (Fujifilm XT-2), but I am really addicted to my Contax at the moment.

 

[Steve Ruddy]

I recall responding to you somewhere about my background, I cannot find the thread. My dad attended a famous (at the time) vocational photography program at Fremont High School: https://www.thephotoforum.com/threads/amazing-educator-clarence-a-bach.426588/

He then went into the airforce and worked with aerial cameras in South Dakota. He became a high school teacher and ran a photography program (as well as yearbook and newspaper). I also had access to his darkroom at times, worked in a rental darkroom, and through college worked at 60 minute photo places, as well as did some professional photography. I kind of stopped using film in the early-mid 2000s, and started up again last year with digital and film. I love my digital (Fujifilm XT-2), but I am really addicted to my Contax at the moment.

Sorry for the delayed reply. It’s cool our Dads had a lot in common. I’m sure they would have hit it off. Last year my step Mom gave me all the cameras that were left, and a lot of negatives, transparencies, and prints. I have been archiving them ever since and haven’t made a very big dent yet. I love seeing how he photographed. His main occupation after the war was a commercial artist until he took up teaching. I can see his paintings in his photographs and am trying to emulate that in my work. Shooting with film again is helping me with that a lot.
I sent the Contax back to Ross and hope to get it back soon. Let me know if you ever run into a good 85mm for it. I think it would make a good portrait lens. I just discovered Contax made a medium format SLR and it can be fitted with a digital back. Seems like this would be my dream camera. I would have the best of both worlds! I have discovered I’m very partial to German cameras and Zeiss lenses. I spent the last few days shooting my Rolleiflexes and can’t wait to get the Contax back. Thanks for your help, and if you ever find yourself in my neck of the woods look me up!

 

[markjwyatt]

Sorry for the delayed reply. It’s cool our Dads had a lot in common. I’m sure they would have hit it off. Last year my step Mom gave me all the cameras that were left, and a lot of negatives, transparencies, and prints. I have been archiving them ever since and haven’t made a very big dent yet. I love seeing how he photographed. His main occupation after the war was a commercial artist until he took up teaching. I can see his paintings in his photographs and am trying to emulate that in my work. Shooting with film again is helping me with that a lot.
I sent the Contax back to Ross and hope to get it back soon. Let me know if you ever run into a good 85mm for it. I think it would make a good portrait lens. I just discovered Contax made a medium format SLR and it can be fitted with a digital back. Seems like this would be my dream camera. I would have the best of both worlds! I have discovered I’m very partial to German cameras and Zeiss lenses. I spent the last few days shooting my Rolleiflexes and can’t wait to get the Contax back. Thanks for your help, and if you ever find yourself in my neck of the woods look me up!

Hi Steve- I love the German lenses also. I have Zeiss (2), Voigtlander (1- Japanese made), and Schneider Kreuznach (2) at this point. I do adapt some of them (plus Japanese and Russian) to my Fuji XT-2, but I prefer shooting the vintage cameras with them. Usually if I shoot the Fuji I use the kit zoom. Once I am shooting digital, I appreciate the technology that comes with it. I suspect the digitalback for the Contax would be a pretty hefty investment. I am in no hurry to acquire any more cameras or lenses at this point. I have plenty to use, and even a couple of renovation projects available (Speed Graphics Pacemaker and a Graflex RBD; 4x5s) if I want to spend more time. My next goal is to start developing B&W at home (no rush on a darkroom though).

If you make it out to Southern California let me know. I do get up to Sacramento, Bay area, Central California, and sometimes wine country.

 

[Steve Ruddy]

Hi Steve- I love the German lenses also. I have Zeiss (2), Voigtlander (1- Japanese made), and Schneider Kreuznach (2) at this point. I do adapt some of them (plus Japanese and Russian) to my Fuji XT-2, but I prefer shooting the vintage cameras with them. Usually if I shoot the Fuji I use the kit zoom. Once I am shooting digital, I appreciate the technology that comes with it. I suspect the digitalback for the Contax would be a pretty hefty investment. I am in no hurry to acquire any more cameras or lenses at this point. I have plenty to use, and even a couple of renovation projects available (Speed Graphics Pacemaker and a Graflex RBD; 4x5s) if I want to spend more time. My next goal is to start developing B&W at home (no rush on a darkroom though).

If you make it out to Southern California let me know. I do get up to Sacramento, Bay area, Central California, and sometimes wine country.

I feel the same way about mixing vintage lenses with digital cameras. I had a Canon 1V, which I could use all my present day lenses on, but ended up selling it.

The digital back is just a dream. I'm hoping and waiting for the day medium format digital gets more popular and affordable.

I have a darkroom set up with two enlargers. I don't use them much though. I mostly scan my negs and transparencies with my 5D Mark IV. You can develop film most anywhere.

Wife works for JFW which owns over 50 wineries. A few days ago I was at Skycrest Vinyard. The views are awesome. I could see you up there with a 4 x 5! Hit me up next time you want to go tasting in Sonoma county.

I'm anxious to get the Contax back again. Hopefully he can fix it.

 

[markjwyatt]

I feel the same way about mixing vintage lenses with digital cameras. I had a Canon 1V, which I could use all my present day lenses on, but ended up selling it.

The digital back is just a dream. I'm hoping and waiting for the day medium format digital gets more popular and affordable.

I have a darkroom set up with two enlargers. I don't use them much though. I mostly scan my negs and transparencies with my 5D Mark IV. You can develop film most anywhere.

Wife works for JFW which owns over 50 wineries. A few days ago I was at Skycrest Vinyard. The views are awesome. I could see you up there with a 4 x 5! Hit me up next time you want to go tasting in Sonoma county.

I'm anxious to get the Contax back again. Hopefully he can fix it.

Thanks, Steve. What is the current issue with your Contax?